Eichorst Sees a Bright Basketball Future

Shawn Eichorst focused his monthly Connecting on Campus column on Nebraska women’s and men’s basketball, and he spent a good share of his monthly Talk to the Director of Athletics radio show on Thursday night to what he sees as a bright basketball future for Husker teams coached by Connie Yori and Tim Miles. The two programs shared a common denominator – dominating records in their new home at Pinnacle Bank Arena in the West Haymarket Area.

“Anyone who had a chance to come to a game this year, you would have quickly come to the conclusion that we have created a special situation, and that’s not one person. That’s not one team. That’s a collection of folks who have connected to doing things the right way,” Eichorst told host Greg Sharpe. “My hat’s off to everybody who’s been involved in our inaugural season at Pinnacle Bank Arena. It’s been a rewarding one and a successful one. The men and women won 31 of 34 games over there.”

As much as Eichorst credited the players and coaches, Nebraska’s second-year Director of Athletics made sure that Husker fans understood the role they played in helping both Big Red teams reach the NCAA Tournament. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in an environment like there was for the men that last game against Wisconsin,” he said. “Talking to some of my colleagues at Wisconsin after that deal, they just raved at the environment. They kind of get everybody’s best shot at this time in the program across the country, and they just didn’t see any environment than they experienced here.”

Eichorst also praised Nebraska women’s basketball fans for helping life the Huskers up to their first postseason tournament championship in program history and their strong presence in the Lincoln NCAA Regional even though NU didn’t advance to round of Sweet 16. “Drawing almost 10,000 fans says a lot about our fan base and certainly a lot about our program,” Eichorst said. “It’s also a credit to the city of Lincoln and the state of Nebraska. We just need to continue to embrace Tim’s and Connie’s programs and what they do and be humble and hungry in the approach. The future is bright for both programs.”